A cozy, warm electric blanket appeals to many people during the winter months. Electric blankets typically save money compared to turning up the heat when the temperatures drop, but they also present some dangers. Using an electric blanket according to the manufacturer's instructions helps decrease the risk for injury and other dangers of electric blankets. An electromagnetic field is created around any item that uses electricity, including electric blankets, according to Joseph Mercola, D.O. Appliances such as electric blankets typically produce extremely low frequency, or ELF, fields. There is disagreement about the effects of ELF fields, but Mercola suggests that the extended exposure to these fields that accompany the use of electric blankets may cause negative health effects, including an increased risk of cancer. Because of the close proximity to the body, the electromagnetic field of an electric blanket can penetrate the body several inches for hours at a time. The electromagnetic field may also cause problems to the fetuses of pregnant women who use electric blankets.
Overheating the body with an electric blanket is a risk of electric blanket use, particularly for those with diabetes and other medical conditions. A person with diabetes may have an insensitivity to heat that makes it difficult to tell that the blanket is too warm. This lack of sensation can result in burns in extreme cases. Overheating the body when pregnant is another concern with electric blankets. A raised core body temperature may cause harm to the fetus, particularly in the first trimester, according to Pregnancy Today. The electric cord connected to an electric blanket can present a fire or shock hazard if it becomes damaged. The Electric Blanket Institute recommends against placing the cord between the mattress and box springs. The friction may cause the cord to fray, increasing the risk of a fire. Heat generated from the cord when covered by the mattress or other items also increases fire risks. A pet clawing or chewing on the wire introduces a shock hazard. Improper use of an electric blanket may make it a dangerous addition to your bed.
Follow the washing instructions of the manufacturer exactly to avoid damage to the blanket. Avoid ironing an electric blanket, which may melt the wires inside. Bunching up the blanket or pinching the wires is another way consumers sometimes misuse the blankets. Misuse can increase the dangers of electric blankets. Dry Skin From an Electric Blanket Home Remedies for Dry Patches of Skin on a Baby's Face How to Get Rid of Dry Skin Patches How to Get Rid of Dry Skin on Lips Are Afghan Blankets Dangerous for Babies? The Best Way to Keep a Baby's Room Warm at Night How to Get Rid of Chapped Lips From an Allergy Causes of Night Sweating Electric Vs. Natural Gas Heating Find Out Which Haircut Is Best for You Why Can't You Leave a Heating Pad on a Sore Muscle? How to Cover a Baby to Sleep Understanding Children's Attachment to Security Blankets 21 Foods That Sound Healthy, But Are Not! How to Get Rid of Dry Dark Skin What Are the Benefits of Saving Electricity?
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But it is important to know that they may also be hazardous to your health. In addition to the fire danger associated with a defective or an old, worn electric blanket, there is also another health risk to consider -- the electromagnetic field you'll be sleeping under for several hours every night.. What Is an Electromagnetic Field? An electromagnetic field (EMF) is an invisible zone of energy that surrounds electric devices and wiring. EMFs are actually comprised of two fields: The electric field is created by voltage, which determines the force with which the electricity is pushed through wires. Most electric fields can be shielded by the design of the appliance, or physically, by walls or other barriers. The magnetic field is created by the current, which is the amount of electricity being pushed. Magnetic fields, which are the main cause of health concerns, can travel through most barriers and for long distances, and are difficult to block. All electromagnetic energy falls somewhere on the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation to microwaves, x-rays, and gamma rays.
ELF fields are generated by household appliances, including electric blankets, andoverhead power lines, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, such as leukemia. The Dangers of Electromagnetic Energy to Your Health When electricity passes through a wire, it creates an electromagnetic field that exerts force on nearby objects, including animals and humans. At one time, it was believed that low-level magnetic fields were not harmful, but scientists now agree that ELF fields are indeed hazardous to human health. They are now considered "probable carcinogens," and have been linked to cases of childhood leukemia, lymphoma, and other health conditions. The exact mechanism by which exposure leads to cancer has not been established. But one potential mechanism may be due to ELFs ability to alter the expression of certain genes; turning them on and off at inappropriate times, which may cause them to initiate cell proliferation. Additionally, the BioInitiative Report,i published August 31, 2007 by an international working group of scientists, researchers, and public health policy professionals, documents serious scientific concerns about the radiation emitted from power lines, cell phones, and many other sources of exposure to radiofrequencies and electromagnetic fields in daily life.
It concludes that the existing standards for public safety are completely inadequate to protect your health. The report includes studies showing evidence that electromagnetic fields can: Affect gene and protein expression (Transcriptomic and Proteomic Research) Have genotoxic effects – RFR and ELF DNA damage Induce stress response (Stress Proteins) Affect neurology and behavior Cause childhood cancers (Leukemia) Promote breast cancer (Melatonin links in laboratory and cell studies) Why Electric Blankets Are a Bigger Threat Than Other Household Appliances Researchers have concluded that you should not only be aware of the potential harm of low-level magnetic fields, you should also limit your exposure as much as possible. This is especially true for appliances held close to the body, as would be the case with electric blankets. The magnetic fields given off by various household appliances diminish sharply the farther you are from the appliance.
In the case of electric blankets, however, a study conducted by Dr. Nancy Wertheimer in the mid-1980s demonstrated that the reading at any power level (level 1 all the way up to level 9 or 10) was 10 to 20 mG (milliGauss) next to the blanket, and 5 to 10 mG six inches away from it. These numbers represent the field strength to which you're exposed when sleeping under an electric blanket. The current is balanced at the center of the blanket, but unbalanced at the outer edges. It is the imbalance that causes a significant magnetic field to be generated. While there is heated debate as to what EMF level is considered safe, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a safety standard of 1 mG, but many experts believe even this level is too high. As you can see, electric blankets are capable of creating a magnetic field anywhere from five to 20 times higher than the EPA's proposed safe level of exposure. Meanwhile, many scientists warn that the enforced standards for electromagnetic exposures are too lax, and that the safety standards need to be revised in order to protect human health.
Specific Risks Linked to Electric Blanket EMFs Electric blankets create a magnetic field that penetrates about six to seven inches into your body -- for hours at a time. This qualifies as chronic exposure. Epidemiological studies have linked electric blankets with miscarriages and childhood leukemia. Data reported in the American Journal of Epidemiologyii suggests that regular use of an electric blanket may increase breast cancer risk in some women, and according to a 2007 report published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, using electric blankets was associated with a 15 percent higher prevalence of endometrial cancer than never having used one. The same study also revealed that the use of electric blankets for 20 years or more was associated with 36 percent higher prevalence of endometrial cancer. Other studies have shown that the EMFs generated by electric blankets suppress melatonin production. Melatonin is the most important detox agent for your brain and is also an anti-inflammatory.
Electromagnetic radiation can make inflammation worse by creating more potent mycotoxins, so reducing inflammation is vital. Research included in the BioInitiative Report mentioned above has also found links between melatonin disruption and the promotion of breast cancer.iii Electric Blankets and Pregnancy This clearly is not a good idea and something that is easily avoided. The unborn fetus is likely the most susceptible to this type of EMF radiation. Additionally, if you use an electric blanket during early pregnancy, you may increase the risk of miscarriage. Studies indicate that women who used an electric blanket around the time of conception and during early pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to have a miscarriage than women who did not. Is There a 'Risk Free' Electric Blanket? In response to EMF concerns, U.S. electric blanket manufacturers now sell blankets that claim to generate no harmful electromagnetic radiation. Although these "zero magnetic field" blankets reduce or eliminate magnetic fields, they may still generate electric fields.